In August 2013 the F.D.A. issued a final rule in the Federal Register defining what characteristics a food must have to be labeled “gluten-free. A year later, that rule is in effect, and any food product bearing a gluten-free claim labeled on or after Aug. 4, 2014, must meet the rule’s requirements.

In order to use the term on its label, a food must meet all of the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten, according to the F.D.A. The rule also requires foods with the claims “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” and “without gluten” to meet the definition for “gluten-free.”

The F.D.A. was directed to issue the new regulation by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, which directed the F.D.A. to set guidelines for the use of the term gluten-free to help people with celiac disease maintain a gluten-free diet.

“This standard ‘gluten-free’ definition will eliminate uncertainty about how food producers label their products,” said Felicia Billingslea, director of the F.D.A.’s division of food labeling and standards. “People with celiac disease can rest assured that foods labeled ‘gluten-free’ meet a clear standard established and enforced by F.D.A.”

Andrea Levario, executive director of the American Celiac Disease Alliance, was among those who applauded the new rule.

“We are extremely pleased that the U.S. gluten-free standard is officially in place,” Ms. Levario said. “Millions of Americans can now shop with confidence knowing that products with a ‘gluten-free’ label meet F.D.A.’s requirements. A uniform standard across food agencies will help consumers even more and we hope U.S.D.A. will move swiftly to implement the same standard.”

The F.D.A. has indicated that any food packaging that fails to meet the requirements “will be subject to regulatory action.”

Comment on this Article

The views expressed in the comments section of Food Business News do not reflect those of Food Business News or its parent company, Sosland Publishing Co., Kansas City, Mo. Concern regarding a specific comment may be registered with the Editor by clicking the Report Abuse link.
Enter code as it is shown (required):

READER COMMENTS (1)

By
NA
8/18/2014 11:00:34 PM

I would hope that all existing so called "gluten free" products will be removed from the grocer's shelves. Who will monitor that? Thank you.